Tynesiders' midfielder Phil Turnbull has next season in mind

Phil Turnbull says Gateshead can kick on – once their safety is assured

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Phil Turnbull has challenged his Gateshead team-mates to secure the club’s Conference National status as soon as possible – then kick on next season.

The Tynesiders are 17th in Blue Square Bet Premier, four points and four places above the relegation zone following Tuesday’s 3-2 win over Hereford United at Victoria Park.

After last night’s ‘home’ clash with Newport County was postponed due to a waterlogged Bootham Crescent pitch, they travel to 12th-placed Dartford tomorrow with Turnbull insistent his side is “not a relegation team”.

But the Heed midfielder says he and his colleagues must prove as much if they are to remain in full-time football.

“It’s been a massive week for us, even without Thursday’s game,” said Turnbull.

“The gaffer told us to get as many points on board as quickly as possible, so that we know where we are next season.

“We all want to be full-time next year and playing in the Conference.

“We have to make sure we’re in this league, because under the new regime I think we can kick on.

“I’m not being big-headed, but I know we’re not a relegation team.

“When you come up against opposition teams, we’ve proved we’re a good side, we’ve got good players.

“But the league doesn’t lie, we are where we are. Hopefully from now we can kick on and get the points we need.”

Reflecting on victory over Hereford, Turnbull added: “Tuesday was an important win for us.

“Looking at the other league results, Barrow and Nuneaton picked up three points, so it was vital we did the same.

“It was nice to hear what (Bulls boss) Martin Foyle said before the game as well, that we’re in a false position and that it’s down to playing so many away games.

“It’s difficult to keep playing these so-called home games all over the place, but we’ve just got to get on with it.

“It’s not ideal, it’s different pitches every week, different dimensions.

“When you take that into consideration, you can see the difficulty we’re dealing with.

“But we’re grateful to the various clubs for putting us up and we just have to make the best of it.

“We can’t use it as an excuse, we’ve got to just keep doing what we’re doing.

“The gaffer’s given us a new mentality, to go into every game not to get beaten.

“So we go in with that mindset, looking not to concede and to see what happens from there. We’re going into every game confident now, winning games breeds that confidence.”

FORMER Gateshead manager Ian Bogie has been appointed boss of Stockport County.